essays | opinions | musings

The Power of 3

My sister and brother-in-law are upstairs sleeping after their long journey to Michigan from Seattle. This week marked two important milestones for my family. My brother Aaron was newly minted Dr. Kirsch in his graduation from Wayne State University Medical School, and my sister Amanda and her husband Dave celebrated their 3-year wedding anniversary.

I’ll never forget the day they were married. My Bubby Cyrille — the best grandmother anyone could possibly have asked for — was fighting a horrific battle with cancer, and this was one of her final family events. The event was beautiful, and family members from all across the states — and then some — gathered to celebrate my sister as she entered the next chapter of her life, and took the opportunity to spend what would likely be their final moments with my late Bubby.

While I wish that some of the paternal family drama had not played a role — but it seems no Kirsch event can take place without it — my sister was beautiful that night, and I gained another brother (indeed, from another mother).

As a result of Dave joining our family, I’ve been fortunate enough to feel that my total family has expanded. His parents have been nothing short of lovely in welcoming me into their home for Jersey-bound Jewish holidays.

To Amanda and Dave, mazel tov on another happy year of marriage, I wish you 120 more. To my brother Aaron, I’m incredibly proud of all that you have accomplished. Thank you for being one of the only people to care about my latest chickpea-laden recipe, or newly discovered BritComs. You’re the best, and I’m so grateful to have you in my life.I long for the day when Amanda and Dave start a family — no pressure — and at this important stage in their relationship, I still see the same, head-over-heels couple that joined under the chuppah three years ago.

[And so that Anne doesn’t feel left out, I love her and am proud of her, too. My Texan sister has made a true lifestyle transformation, having lost 50 pounds in the last year. She stays active in the Houston heat, and is a daily role model for my own routine.]